As the emerging industry of “medical + tourism” gains momentum globally, Shanghai is accelerating its transformation into an “international medical tourism destination” by leveraging its robust medical heritage, cutting-edge technological capabilities, international-standard service quality, and strong policy support. This city, which seamlessly blends modern vitality with traditional wisdom, not only provides patients with precise diagnostic and treatment services but also offers a diverse range of experiences, including “treatment + wellness + cultural experiences,” to create comprehensive health solutions spanning the entire lifecycle.
Comprehensive Supporting Facilities
The core competitiveness of medical tourism lies not only in technology but also in the seamless integration of “medical care, food, accommodation, transportation, and wellness” throughout the entire process. Shanghai has established a “15-minute service circle” covering international medical institutions, creating a seamless health management ecosystem for global patients.
Transportation and Customs: Both Pudong and Hongqiao International Airports have established medical emergency green channels, equipped with multilingual medical coordinators; Customs has introduced a “cross-border medical supplies rapid clearance” model, with special medications and medical devices cleared within four hours; Some tertiary hospitals have partnered with international travel agencies to offer “flight + medical care + accommodation” one-stop packages (e.g., Shanghai United Family Hospital has collaborated with a high-end travel agency to launch a “cancer treatment + island wellness” itinerary).
Accommodation and Rehabilitation: Areas such as Pudong Kerry Centre and Qiantan are home to multiple international medical-support hotels, such as the “medical health rooms” at the Shanghai Bulgari Hotel, which feature smart monitoring mattresses and remote consultation systems; Some high-end elderly care communities (such as Taikang Shenyuan) have partnered with hospitals to establish a “treatment-rehabilitation-long-term care” chain, providing customized services for post-operative rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
Language and Cultural Services: International departments at tertiary hospitals across the city are staffed with multilingual guides (covering over 10 languages including English, Japanese, and Korean), and some hospitals have introduced AI translation devices to achieve “zero barriers to medical care”; Traditional Chinese medicine institutions such as Longhua Hospital and Yueyang Hospital have established “cultural experience zones,” offering activities like making traditional Chinese medicine sachets and teaching the Eight Brocades exercise routine to enhance cultural affinity among foreign patients.
Specialized Treatment Methods
Shanghai's appeal in medical tourism stems from its dual innovation in “technology and model.” Whether it's cutting-edge treatment for complex and severe conditions or personalized management of chronic diseases, Shanghai leads the nation and even the world.
The “Shanghai Protocol” for Cancer Treatment: As one of the few medical institutions globally to simultaneously possess both proton and heavy ion radiotherapy technologies, the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital has treated over 6,000 patients, with five-year survival rates for early-stage lung cancer and prostate cancer reaching internationally leading levels; Ruijin Hospital and Zhongshan Hospital focus on a combined approach of “immunotherapy + minimally invasive surgery,” providing multidisciplinary (MDT) diagnosis and treatment for complex cases such as liver cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Precision Intervention for Cardiovascular Diseases: The Department of Cardiology at Fudan University Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital ranks among the top three globally in the number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) surgeries performed, offering minimal trauma and rapid recovery, making it suitable for elderly patients; Shanghai First People's Hospital's “atrial fibrillation radiofrequency ablation combined with left atrial appendage closure” one-stop surgery reduces stroke risk by over 90%, with patients able to get out of bed and move around within 24 hours post-surgery.
Modern Transformation of Traditional Medicine: The “Integrative Medicine for Cancer Treatment” at Longhua Hospital and Shuguang Hospital has been included in multiple international guidelines. Traditional Chinese medicine formulas (such as Astragalus and Hedyotis difformis) have been validated through evidence-based medicine and synergize with chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The “Shanghai-style Acupuncture” at Yueyang Hospital has been FDA-certified and is covered by health insurance in the United States, Australia, and other countries as an adjunct therapy.
Recommended Hospitals
Shanghai boasts several internationally accredited “flagship” hospitals, which serve as both “technical hubs” for clinical diagnosis and treatment and “service benchmarks” for medical tourism.
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital: The fourth in the world and the first in China to simultaneously possess proton and heavy ion radiotherapy technologies, specializing in “precision radiotherapy-sensitive” diseases such as head and neck tumors and prostate cancer. Treatment precision reaches the millimeter level, with side effects reduced by 60% compared to traditional radiotherapy.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Ruijin Hospital International Medical Department: Ranked first overall in the “Fudan China Hospital Ranking” for 13 consecutive years, the International Department is JCI-certified (the highest global standard for medical service quality), offering services such as direct payment from overseas health insurance and remote consultations with overseas experts, serving over 20,000 foreign patients annually.
International Medical Center of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and liver diseases, it is equipped with the world's first “intelligent surgical robot” (Tuo Mai) and implements the “Da Vinci surgery + enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)” model, reducing the average hospital stay to 3-5 days.
International Medical Department of Longhua Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: The first traditional Chinese medicine hospital in China to obtain JCI certification, it offers specialty clinics such as “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Preventive Care,” “Acupuncture for Weight Loss,” and “Post-Surgery Rehabilitation for Cancer Patients,” and has launched convenient products like “Herbal Tea Drinks + Medicinal Diet Packages,” which are highly favored by patients from Southeast Asia and Europe and America.
Core Advantages
Compared to traditional medical tourism destinations such as Europe, the United States, and Japan, Shanghai's advantage lies in the golden balance of “technological advancement + service accessibility + cost-effectiveness.”
Technological Leadership: Shanghai is home to one-third of China's national key laboratories and one-quarter of the chief scientists of the “973” and “863” programs. It has achieved leadership in fields such as precision cancer treatment and advanced medical equipment (e.g., United Imaging MRI, minimally invasive surgical robots).
Service Efficiency: The average appointment time at the international departments of tertiary hospitals has been reduced to within three working days (with some tests completed in one day), representing a several-fold increase in efficiency compared to overseas hospitals (average of two to four weeks). The scope of medical insurance coverage is gradually expanding, with some international department projects already included in commercial insurance programs such as “Shanghai Health Insurance.”
Cost-effectiveness: The cost of high-end medical projects in Shanghai is approximately one-third to one-half of that in Europe and the United States (e.g., proton therapy costs approximately 200,000 yuan in China, while it costs over 800,000 yuan in the United States), and it supports RMB settlement and cross-border payments, significantly reducing the financial burden on patients.
Cultural inclusivity: As an international cultural metropolis, Shanghai can meet foreign patients' demand for Western medical technology while also offering differentiated services through traditional Chinese medicine and Shanghai-style cultural experiences (such as the Yuyuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Experience Hall), achieving a dual satisfaction of “treatment + culture.”
Policy Empowerment
The rapid development of medical tourism in Shanghai is closely tied to strong policy support. In recent years, Shanghai has set the goal of “building an international medical tourism destination” and introduced a series of innovative policies.
Pilot Initiatives: In 2021, Pudong New Area in Shanghai was selected as a “National Traditional Chinese Medicine Service Export Base,” supporting institutions like Longhua Hospital and Shuguang Hospital to pilot “traditional Chinese medicine medical tourism” programs, allowing overseas patients to use their medical insurance personal accounts to pay for certain traditional Chinese medicine services.
Opening Up and Upgrading: In 2023, the “Implementation Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of International Medical Tourism in Shanghai” clearly stated that by 2025, 5-8 international medical tourism demonstration institutions will be cultivated, the visa process for foreign patients will be simplified (providing entry convenience for those holding valid medical visas), and the “overseas new drugs and medical devices” will be accelerated (such as allowing qualified medical institutions to import new anti-cancer drugs that are not yet available in China).
Industrial Integration: The Lingang New Area of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is exploring a “medical + tourism + health and wellness” integrated model, supporting private capital in building high-end international hospitals and rehabilitation resorts; simultaneously, it encourages insurance institutions to develop “medical tourism insurance” to cover cross-border medical risks (such as trip cancellations and medical disputes).
Summary: Shanghai, the “Eastern Hub” of Global Health
From the international departments of century-old hospitals to world-leading proton therapy centers, from the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine culture to breakthroughs in high-end medical technology, Shanghai is presenting itself to the world with an open attitude and professional services, offering a golden business card for “medical tourism.” In the future, with the continued release of policy benefits and the continuous improvement of technological capabilities, Shanghai is poised to become a “health bridge” connecting China and the world, bringing more people the “hope of healing” and the “beauty of travel.”